Brucie Klay Boonstoppel, owner/director, is a native of the Tampa Bay area. She began her training in the Cecchetti Method
of ballet at the Florida Academy of Ballet in Tampa. She continued her studies at Florida State University studying under
Maria de Baroncelli, Richard Sias, David Roche, and Lynda Davis and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance.
Brucie also studied summers at the American Dance Festival held at Duke University in Durham, NC along with studies in
New York with Richard Thomas, Melissa Hayden, David Howard, and Phil Black.
Brucie has performed as a professional dancer in Southern Ballet Theatre, State of Alabama Ballet, Omni Dance Theatre
and shows at Rosie O'Gradys and Busch Gardens. In past years she continued to perform at various special events while
she began and built her dance school. She has been teaching for 25 years, including semesters at University of South
Florida and University of Tampa. Brucie continues her education by attending different seminars and conventions, and has
brought BKDC to have the wonderful reputation it has today.
of ballet at the Florida Academy of Ballet in Tampa. She continued her studies at Florida State University studying under
Maria de Baroncelli, Richard Sias, David Roche, and Lynda Davis and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance.
Brucie also studied summers at the American Dance Festival held at Duke University in Durham, NC along with studies in
New York with Richard Thomas, Melissa Hayden, David Howard, and Phil Black.
Brucie has performed as a professional dancer in Southern Ballet Theatre, State of Alabama Ballet, Omni Dance Theatre
and shows at Rosie O'Gradys and Busch Gardens. In past years she continued to perform at various special events while
she began and built her dance school. She has been teaching for 25 years, including semesters at University of South
Florida and University of Tampa. Brucie continues her education by attending different seminars and conventions, and has
brought BKDC to have the wonderful reputation it has today.
Melissa Walters has been teaching at Brucie Klay's Dance Center for twelve years. Her training was at the Blackwood Studios
for 18 years in ballet, tap, and acrobatics. During this time she also trained at the South Lake Dance Center, along with State
dance conventions and workshops. Melissa has passed teaching exams at the Blackwood Studios, the Florida Dance Masters
membership and teacher's training school. She has taught at many studios in central Florida and has been a master teacher at
the Florida Dance Masters Conventions. Melissa continues her work at Brucie Klay's and has introduced a class in Theatre Jazz
to the school. In this class the dancers learn well known productions and the stylized choreography involved. Melissa Walters
has a talent for producing a performance within a performance, as showcased in our yearly dance recital.
for 18 years in ballet, tap, and acrobatics. During this time she also trained at the South Lake Dance Center, along with State
dance conventions and workshops. Melissa has passed teaching exams at the Blackwood Studios, the Florida Dance Masters
membership and teacher's training school. She has taught at many studios in central Florida and has been a master teacher at
the Florida Dance Masters Conventions. Melissa continues her work at Brucie Klay's and has introduced a class in Theatre Jazz
to the school. In this class the dancers learn well known productions and the stylized choreography involved. Melissa Walters
has a talent for producing a performance within a performance, as showcased in our yearly dance recital.
Amy Taylor has an impressive teaching background. Her own training includes the Erie Civic Ballet, Chautauqua Summer
Program, National Academy of Dance, Haydee Gutierrez, Tampa Ballet, and the USF Dance Department. Over the past 30
years Amy has credits including: Artistic Director Florida West Ballet Company, Moscow Ballet Nutcracker Children's
Rehearsal Mistress, USF Adjunct Faculty, Judith Lee Johnson's Studio, Suncoast Academy. Many of Amy's students have
gone on to professional careers with the New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, David Parson's, Atlanta Ballet,
Cleveland/San Jose Ballet, Buglisi Foremann, National Touring Company of The King and I, Rockettes Radio City
Christmas Spectacular and more. Brucie Klay's Dance Center is fortunate to have the talent of Amy Taylor.
Program, National Academy of Dance, Haydee Gutierrez, Tampa Ballet, and the USF Dance Department. Over the past 30
years Amy has credits including: Artistic Director Florida West Ballet Company, Moscow Ballet Nutcracker Children's
Rehearsal Mistress, USF Adjunct Faculty, Judith Lee Johnson's Studio, Suncoast Academy. Many of Amy's students have
gone on to professional careers with the New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, David Parson's, Atlanta Ballet,
Cleveland/San Jose Ballet, Buglisi Foremann, National Touring Company of The King and I, Rockettes Radio City
Christmas Spectacular and more. Brucie Klay's Dance Center is fortunate to have the talent of Amy Taylor.
Ernesta Suarez-Chicklowski has her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Voice & Theatre from Florida State University, and
was voted Homecoming Queen while attending F.S.U. demonstrating her popularity among all. She currently teaches full
time at Roosevelt Elementary School in South Tampa, along with work at Coleman Middle School, and various private
lessons in voice and musical instruments.
A certified "Little Kids Rock" Guitar Teacher and accomplished songwriter.
State and District Educational Presenter
Certified in K-12 Music Education
Ernesta is an explosion of energy and enthusiasm, a great addition to the BKDC staff.
was voted Homecoming Queen while attending F.S.U. demonstrating her popularity among all. She currently teaches full
time at Roosevelt Elementary School in South Tampa, along with work at Coleman Middle School, and various private
lessons in voice and musical instruments.
A certified "Little Kids Rock" Guitar Teacher and accomplished songwriter.
State and District Educational Presenter
Certified in K-12 Music Education
Ernesta is an explosion of energy and enthusiasm, a great addition to the BKDC staff.
Jennifer Russell is a graduate of the University of South Florida with a BFA degree in Dance Performance. She has
performed principle roles on Broadway, off Broadway, regional theater productions, and on nationally aired television
shows. Jennifer has also appeared on television commercials, in corporate industrials and as a runway and print model for
several dancewear companies. She has also been recognized for her work as a dance choreographer.
Jennifer has trained in dance, theatre, voiceand instrumental music. While in college, she toured the country for three
summers as a musician and has taught movement and choreography as part of the visual instructional staffs of a World
Class Dividion Drum and Bugle Corps, a University and a High School Program.
As a youth, Jennifer began performing professionally at the age of eleven and earned one hundred twenty scholarships or
titles as a competitive dancer. She brings these experiences to all her work in the arts from performing, judging competitive
events to teaching workshops or working one-on-one with students.
performed principle roles on Broadway, off Broadway, regional theater productions, and on nationally aired television
shows. Jennifer has also appeared on television commercials, in corporate industrials and as a runway and print model for
several dancewear companies. She has also been recognized for her work as a dance choreographer.
Jennifer has trained in dance, theatre, voiceand instrumental music. While in college, she toured the country for three
summers as a musician and has taught movement and choreography as part of the visual instructional staffs of a World
Class Dividion Drum and Bugle Corps, a University and a High School Program.
As a youth, Jennifer began performing professionally at the age of eleven and earned one hundred twenty scholarships or
titles as a competitive dancer. She brings these experiences to all her work in the arts from performing, judging competitive
events to teaching workshops or working one-on-one with students.
Andrea Ignatov has strong technical abilities in teaching a wide range of disciplines, including ballet, modern, jazz and
choreography & improvisation. Her love of teaching pushes Andrea to constantly create new and exciting ways to educate
students through dance.
Andrea has taught at the following schools: Florida Dance Centre, Florida Ballet School, Palm Harbor Montessori
Academy, Sadler Dance, Anderson Production Company, Rice Lake High School, Cameron High School, Corita's School
of Dance.
Andrea's education includes: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, Dance Masters of
America, UWSP Summer intensives, Dance Olympus, Corita's School of Dance, Long Beach Ballet Company School.
Andrea Ignatov is currently teaching lyrical and ballet at BKDC.
choreography & improvisation. Her love of teaching pushes Andrea to constantly create new and exciting ways to educate
students through dance.
Andrea has taught at the following schools: Florida Dance Centre, Florida Ballet School, Palm Harbor Montessori
Academy, Sadler Dance, Anderson Production Company, Rice Lake High School, Cameron High School, Corita's School
of Dance.
Andrea's education includes: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, Dance Masters of
America, UWSP Summer intensives, Dance Olympus, Corita's School of Dance, Long Beach Ballet Company School.
Andrea Ignatov is currently teaching lyrical and ballet at BKDC.
Shana Donahue Perkins, a native of Toronto Canada, has been a choreographer and dancer for 17 years. She graduated
with honors on scholarship from The University of South Florida with a degree in Modern Dance Performance. During this time
she was given the opportunity to also study at Alvin Ailey, NY Joe Goode, San Francisco, and Jose Bustemonte, Austin Texas.
She was chosen to represent the college at an International Cultural Affair in Tunisia, Africa where she performed her
choreography, “It’s Hard to Stumble on Your Knees”. She has performed in videos such as “The Girl Ain’t Worth It”, and
commercials for Fosters and Coca Cola. She has appeared on the Dr. Phil Show as a guest/dancer, and “Dave TV”. She also
was a principal dancer with Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre, Indianapolis. She has been on faculty as a dance instructor at
Blake Performing Arts High School, Progress Village Middle Magnet School of the Arts, Orange Grove Magnet School.
Shana Perkins is a certified teacher of the American Ballet Theatre Curriculum.
with honors on scholarship from The University of South Florida with a degree in Modern Dance Performance. During this time
she was given the opportunity to also study at Alvin Ailey, NY Joe Goode, San Francisco, and Jose Bustemonte, Austin Texas.
She was chosen to represent the college at an International Cultural Affair in Tunisia, Africa where she performed her
choreography, “It’s Hard to Stumble on Your Knees”. She has performed in videos such as “The Girl Ain’t Worth It”, and
commercials for Fosters and Coca Cola. She has appeared on the Dr. Phil Show as a guest/dancer, and “Dave TV”. She also
was a principal dancer with Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre, Indianapolis. She has been on faculty as a dance instructor at
Blake Performing Arts High School, Progress Village Middle Magnet School of the Arts, Orange Grove Magnet School.
Shana Perkins is a certified teacher of the American Ballet Theatre Curriculum.
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| Brucie Klay's Dance Center |
Sarah Watson is a native of Orlando and a recent graduate of the University of Florida. She has danced since the age of
three, training at The Dancer's Pointe in Orlando and dancing competitively throughout high school. She has trained and
teaches ballet, street, contemporary, musical theatre, pom, and jazz. Most recently Sarah taught dance to students of all
ages and talent levels at Camp Greystone in Norht Carolina. She currently works in Tampa in advertising and will add to
her schedule classes at BKDC. Sarah looks forward to working with the most talented dancers in Tampa!
three, training at The Dancer's Pointe in Orlando and dancing competitively throughout high school. She has trained and
teaches ballet, street, contemporary, musical theatre, pom, and jazz. Most recently Sarah taught dance to students of all
ages and talent levels at Camp Greystone in Norht Carolina. She currently works in Tampa in advertising and will add to
her schedule classes at BKDC. Sarah looks forward to working with the most talented dancers in Tampa!
Jennifer Petuch graduated from the University of South Florida with a BA in Dance. Her dance studies include film,
photography, and choreography. She has had many performance experiences at U.S.F., the U.S.F. program in Paris,
Ballet Florida in West Palm Beach, and Palm Beach Opera. Jennifer has taught ballet, modern, lyrical and her specialty
tap all around the state of Florida. BKDC welcomes her contributions to the strong staff at the dance center.
photography, and choreography. She has had many performance experiences at U.S.F., the U.S.F. program in Paris,
Ballet Florida in West Palm Beach, and Palm Beach Opera. Jennifer has taught ballet, modern, lyrical and her specialty
tap all around the state of Florida. BKDC welcomes her contributions to the strong staff at the dance center.
Alexys Cobb is originally from Tampa, FL where she began her dance training at the age of three. She is a graduate of
The Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School. Here she studied ballet under Suzanne Pomerantzeff, and
the Horton Technique under Patricia Paige. During this time she was also accepted into The Ailey School’s Summer
Intensive Program. As a result of her work while attending the summer intensive, Alexys was invited to audition for the
Alvin Ailey/Fordham University B.F.A. Program to which she was accepted. During her senior year Alexys apprenticed
with Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre under the direction of Kevin Iega Jeff. After receiving her B.F.A. in dance from the
Ailey/Fordham Program Alexys became a member of Dallas Black Dance Theatre II. During this time she also served as
Dallas Black Dance Academy’s Lead Instructor, where she realized her passion and abilities as an instructor. The Dance
Council of North Texas recognized Alexys’ gift of teaching by awarding her The Artful Dancewear Teacher Scholarship for
2010. Alexys used the scholarship to attend Ana Marie Forsythe’s Horton Pedagogy Workshop to further her knowledge
on teaching the Horton Technique. Alexys has conducted several Master Classes in the Horton Technique throughout
the Tampa Bay Area. She is excited to join the staff at Brucie Klay’s Dance Center.
The Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School. Here she studied ballet under Suzanne Pomerantzeff, and
the Horton Technique under Patricia Paige. During this time she was also accepted into The Ailey School’s Summer
Intensive Program. As a result of her work while attending the summer intensive, Alexys was invited to audition for the
Alvin Ailey/Fordham University B.F.A. Program to which she was accepted. During her senior year Alexys apprenticed
with Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre under the direction of Kevin Iega Jeff. After receiving her B.F.A. in dance from the
Ailey/Fordham Program Alexys became a member of Dallas Black Dance Theatre II. During this time she also served as
Dallas Black Dance Academy’s Lead Instructor, where she realized her passion and abilities as an instructor. The Dance
Council of North Texas recognized Alexys’ gift of teaching by awarding her The Artful Dancewear Teacher Scholarship for
2010. Alexys used the scholarship to attend Ana Marie Forsythe’s Horton Pedagogy Workshop to further her knowledge
on teaching the Horton Technique. Alexys has conducted several Master Classes in the Horton Technique throughout
the Tampa Bay Area. She is excited to join the staff at Brucie Klay’s Dance Center.
Simon Mendoza has been dancing for ten years. His main acrobatic style of break dancing, or breaking, has branched
him out to learn other styles of dance which include, popping, locking, krump, house, jazz, and modern.
Simon, also known as Soul Sonic, has been an acrobat, breaker, singer, and a dancer at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
since 2007 in shows such as Freak Show, Fiends, Katonga, Kinetix, and Jungle Fantasy by Cirque Dreams. His breaking
crew, the Break Junkies, has received much recognition all over Florida competing in numerous competitions at local,
national, and international levels.
Simon has maintained a solid career in entertainment, and is still hard on the grind. His dancing has been filmed for TV
commercials for companies such as Bright House Networks, Verizon FIOS, Home Shopping Network, and many more. He
has taught since 2007, and always maintains a willingness to succeed through his work.
him out to learn other styles of dance which include, popping, locking, krump, house, jazz, and modern.
Simon, also known as Soul Sonic, has been an acrobat, breaker, singer, and a dancer at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
since 2007 in shows such as Freak Show, Fiends, Katonga, Kinetix, and Jungle Fantasy by Cirque Dreams. His breaking
crew, the Break Junkies, has received much recognition all over Florida competing in numerous competitions at local,
national, and international levels.
Simon has maintained a solid career in entertainment, and is still hard on the grind. His dancing has been filmed for TV
commercials for companies such as Bright House Networks, Verizon FIOS, Home Shopping Network, and many more. He
has taught since 2007, and always maintains a willingness to succeed through his work.
Bryn Lenny began dancing at the age of three. She danced at Tampa Gymnastics and Dance for twelve years and Brucie
Klay’s for three years. She is trained in jazz, tap, lyrical, hip-hop, ballet and modern. She has graduated from Hillsborough
Community College and received her A.A. in Dance. At HCC Bryn has had the opportunity to study under Christina Acosta,
Richard Ploch, Irene Ko and Clair Andrews. Through HCC she has danced in works choreographed by Janis Brenner,
Carolina Garcia, Paula Kramer, Erin Cardinal Wright, and Elsa Valbuena. Bryn has also been a member of the All Out Rep
dance company with artistic directors Shana Donahue Perkins and Ami Sallee Corley. AOR had their debut performance of
The Agreeable Husband in April 2009 which went on tour to various Florida venues. Bryn is now at the University of South
Florida studying to obtain a B.A. in Communication. Bryn strives to be an active member of the Tampa Bay dance
community and is excited to be a part of the BKDC staff.
Klay’s for three years. She is trained in jazz, tap, lyrical, hip-hop, ballet and modern. She has graduated from Hillsborough
Community College and received her A.A. in Dance. At HCC Bryn has had the opportunity to study under Christina Acosta,
Richard Ploch, Irene Ko and Clair Andrews. Through HCC she has danced in works choreographed by Janis Brenner,
Carolina Garcia, Paula Kramer, Erin Cardinal Wright, and Elsa Valbuena. Bryn has also been a member of the All Out Rep
dance company with artistic directors Shana Donahue Perkins and Ami Sallee Corley. AOR had their debut performance of
The Agreeable Husband in April 2009 which went on tour to various Florida venues. Bryn is now at the University of South
Florida studying to obtain a B.A. in Communication. Bryn strives to be an active member of the Tampa Bay dance
community and is excited to be a part of the BKDC staff.